Page S. Gardner

Founder and Board President

Dr. Avis A. Jones-DeWeever

President and CEO , Incite Unlimited, LLC

Dr. Avis A. Jones-DeWeever is the President and CEO of Incite Unlimited, LLC and host of the new nationally-syndicated NPR radio show, Focus Point with Avis Jones-DeWeever, a show which examines the intersection of race, gender, politics, and life.

An authority on race and gender in the American economy, poverty in urban communities, inequality of educational and economic opportunity, and issues of privilege, power, and policy in the US and beyond, Dr. Jones-DeWeever is the author of numerous publications focused on issues of particular importance to women of African descent. A selection of her works include: Women’s Empowerment Matters: Engaging the Global Economy by Leaving No Woman Behind; The Forgotten Ones: Black Women in the Wake of Katrina; What Black America Owes the First Black President; and the forthcoming book, Standing in Our Own Way: The Limits of Black Progress in the Age of Obama.

A highly sought-after political commentator, Dr. Jones-DeWeever’s perspectives have been shared through a variety of media outlets including: CNN, PBS, BET News, ABC News, the Canadian Television News Channel, National Public Radio, Sirius/ XM Radio, Glamour Magazine, Pink Magazine, Essence Magazine, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, and Vital Speeches of the Day. Dr. Jones-DeWeever received her Ph.D. in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park and currently serves as an Affiliated Scholar with the Institute for Women’s Policy Research.

William McNary

Co-Director, Citizen Action Illinois

William McNary has worked for the public interest for 25 years. He has worked as a lobbyist on behalf of the public interest in both the Illinois General Assembly and in the United States Congress. In 2000, he became Co-Director of Citizen Action/Illinois. Mr. McNary serves as a board member for Public Campaign, the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, and Women’s Voices Women Vote. In addition, he served as the president of USAction, the largest national coalition of progressive organizations, from 1999 to 2012. He holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Iowa.

Mr. McNary has been appointed by two Illinois Governors, the Illinois Attorney General, the Cook County Board President and other State Constitutional Officers to serve on several state boards, task forces and transition teams. He was recently appointed by the Governor to serve on the Illinois Campaign Finance Reform Task Force to make recommendations on a clean elections option for Illinois candidates who seek public office.

Over six election cycles, Mr. McNary has worked with the Rainbow/Push Coalition where he co-directed targeted voter registration and “Get Out the Vote” campaign efforts. He has a degree in journalism and communications from the University of Iowa.

Jill Alper

Principal, Dewey Square Group

A nationally recognized strategist, Jill leads Dewey Square Group’s media and campaign practices, and the firm’s Michigan office, working with corporate, non-profit and political clients.

Jill built her reputation at the highest levels of campaigns, holding senior roles in seven presidential campaigns. She has collaborated on over $70 million in media placements for campaigns. Notably, she was senior strategist to both Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, strategist for the stem cell and Detroit Institute of Art ballot initiatives.

Jill is a member of the Democratic National Committee. She has been recognized by the American Association of Political Consultants as the nation’s “Best Democratic Campaign Manager” and was named to Aristotle Inc.’s “Democratic Campaign Manager Dream Team.” Jill is a graduate of Boston College and lives in Grosse Pointe with her family and bulldog, BOTUS.

Gibby Waitzkin

Sarvisberry Gallery & Studio

Gibby Waitzkin is a fiber artist, papermaker, and photographer. Her education and training focused on photography, printmaking, and arts education.

Her early involvement with political activism in the 60’s centered around civil rights, and environmental issues — what we eat, drink, and breathe. She was an original organics /sustainable advocate — struck by the industrialization of our world, in particular, in agriculture.

She lived in Washington, D.C. and worked for over thirty-five years using her arts and design background on environmental, women’s rights and arts issues. Gibby also founded Gibson Creative, an award-winning design and communications studio in Washington, D.C. Her work included campaigns for the World Wildlife Fund’s Climate Campaign, Gore for President 2000 identity, and the Pew Center on Climate Change.

Her family bought property in the 70’s in Floyd, Virginia, where she and her husband built a home, and where she now splits her time between Floyd and Durham, NC, where her her husband works at Duke University. She is committed to living a life built around an environment that is conducive to both physical and spiritual health.

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